Saturday, October 22, 2011

Sometimes I'm absolutely amazed at the way God ties things together. We have been joining friends for a home fellowship on Thursday nights and of late my hubby Jim has been teaching. We've been talking about the history of Christianity and of Israel and the Jews. It's amazing to look through history and see the parallels of our faiths.

Throughout the ages you see where the Jewish people are despised and persecuted, and now we see how Christians are being treated much the same. I even heard someone say the other day that they would be glad when the time came that Christians had to meet in secret in the USA. Believe me - those days are coming.

The neatest part of all, however, is the way God has so intricately used the evil for good - just like Joseph speaks of in Gen. 50:20. When you look at America becoming a nation, you can see where God had plans for us to come alongside the Jewish people to encourage and support a homeland. Sometimes it's hard for us to remember that for hundreds and hundreds of years - there was no Israel. Napoleon comes along and in order to build and promote his cause he finds purpose for the Jews where others had condemned and tormented them. Of course he didn't care about them, but they served his evil purposes. You have Hitler who does the worst possible things to the Jewish people, and God uses that to rally and draw His people together. Then in 1948 America comes alongside Britain to encourage and promote the formation of a Jewish homeland. Gives you the shivers when you really study it out.

Don't ever doubt that God is in the details of your meager existence. He has the hairs on your head numbered. Believe me - He's in the details.

Friday, October 14, 2011

So I've been home for two weeks now and I'm finally getting back in the swing of things. And no - this isn't a current photo - rather it was taken last year around the same time - so I'm enjoying the delay of snow this year. We're having a beautiful fall in fact and I'm getting back into writing my current book.

The book I'm working on is 3rd in another Texas series. Book one CHASING THE SUN debuts in March 2012 and then book 2 June 2012 and the book I'm currently writing is slated to release a year from now - in October 2012. The series has been a great deal of fun. Set in Texas 1863-1868, I wanted to show the contrasts of mindsets. There were strong Union supporters in Texas, as well as strong Confederate supporters, but mostly there were those who stood in support of Texas.

While I was researching and enjoying being home after a wild and crazy traveling schedule since last May, I found the lyrics of this song from 1854 and thought it summed up my heart.

1. There’s a spot that I love, there’s a home that I prize
Far better than any on earth,
It is bound to my heart by the holiest ties,
And I prize oh how fondly its worth;
’Tis no beauty nor splendor endears it to me,
Ah no for its grandeur hath flown,
But ’tis fondest affection that binds me to thee,
My Old House, my dear happy Home.

2. O home! what dear magic is in that sweet sound,
How closely it speaks to the heart,
What a word of deep tenderness in thee is found,
Oh who from such treasure could part;
Could barter the joys of a sweet home of love,
For a path in the wide world unknown,
Could seek for vain pleasures and heartlessly rove,
If they knew the true value of home.

3. Some sigh to be wealthy, some seek to be great,
Some envy what others can do,
But oh I’m in my lowly estate,
For the hearts all around me are true.
And ties that are nearer and dearer to me,
And hearts that are truly mine own,
With fondest affection now binds me to thee,
My Old House, my dear happy Home.

Isn't that fun. I thought it really fit how I felt now that we're home.

Oh and one other fun thing that's happened this week - I got a delivery of a new cd. If you like blues-jazz I have to say this is great. It's LET THEM TALK by Englishman Huge Laurie - yes the actor on HOUSE and from earlier years of BERTIE AND JEEVES. He's an incredible musician and I've totally fallen in love with his music. My only disappointment was that the cd didn't include 27 Ginger Headed Sailors which he once sang on BERTIE AND JEEVES. Actually I suppose it really wouldn't fit the blues feel.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Back in July our granddaughter Rainy fell ill. It became so serious we feared we would be having a funeral.
We headed to Kansas City and sat at her bedside and she gradually improved. We said it was the healing power of Grandparent Love. Here she is with her momma after recovery started. The looks are day and night differentand proof that prayer works. Thanks so much to those of you who prayed.

We hurried back home then and I went to be with the women of my church. We had a retreat in the mountains with Angie Breidenbach as our speaker. If you haven't checked Angie out - you really must. She has some amazing jewlery that supports African orphans and she's written several books. Also she is a super amazing speaker and if you need someone for your women's groups - I highly recommend her. Check her out at www.angiebreidenbach.com

After that it was back to Kansas where I worked with Judy Miller on the 3rd installment of our Bridal Veil Island series. Judy is always a lot of fun to work with and I got to enjoy her new office. Made me start thinking about my own.

Then we moved on to St. Louis where I was the keynote speaker for the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. Oh that was tons of fun. I got to see a lot of my writer friends and as Tammy posted - we snapped a photo of us bloggers sans Cathy and Robin. I was completely blessed by the conference as I know many writers were. The ACFW awarded me a Lifetime Achievement Award and a bouquet of roses. This came as a total shock. I've teased my publisher that this means I can now retire. Here I am with Kayla Woodhouse. She's 14 and has already co-authored 2 books with her mom Kim Woodhouse. I recommend you get a copy of their first book (the only one out so far) titled NO SAFE HAVEN.

Speaking of the publisher - after St. Louis Jim and I moseyed up to Minnesota to do research and to meet with the Bethany House folks. I love and adore that gang. They are like family to me and it's always so nice to get together with them and talk about the industry and the ministry aspects of what we do.

Amidst all of this, I was dealing with a shocking diagnosis that came to me on the 8th of September. The doctor told me I have Multiple Scelosis. MS is a nerve disorder where your own white cells attack the myelin (sheath around nerves) and destroys it. This can cause pain, blindness, cripple you and so much more. Not exactly a fun diagnosis. I started daily injectables which was also not to my liking, but now I find they aren't quite so bad. It's an interesting twist in my journey here on earth, but I'm trying to keep my eyes and ears open to what God will teach me on the way. I definitely would appreciate your continued prayers.

Oh and a super neat highlight. On our way home, we picked up a new baby. Actually a 6wk old collie pup. We're calling him Mack - short for The McGreggor which will probably be his official name. He's soooooo sweet and fluffy. Just a bunch of fur with a nose.